diff --git a/python/gui/qgsmapcanvas.sip b/python/gui/qgsmapcanvas.sip
index c3e7db17876..b2742b9c535 100644
--- a/python/gui/qgsmapcanvas.sip
+++ b/python/gui/qgsmapcanvas.sip
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class QgsMapCanvas : QGraphicsView
 
     //! Get access to properties used for map rendering
     //! @note added in 2.4
-    const QgsMapSettings& mapSettings() const;
+    const QgsMapSettings& mapSettings() const /KeepReference/;
 
     //! sets whether to use projections for this layer set
     //! @note added in 2.4